Our future has never looked so exciting..

[tzznandrew]

I know it depends on how you look at it, but I am so looking forward to 2013-2014 season. Sure conference realignment screwed us, and having no tourney sucked, BUT damn looks what's coming next season:

1. New Coach who happens to be a great one (and I'm not exaggerating)
2. Young squad with no seniors
3. New Horizons means new challenges, new experiences, new teams to play
4. DD looks to breakout next year along with Giffey
5. Blaney leaving means a another Ollie hire at Coach
6. Calhoun, Boat and Bazz(?) breaking down defenses better
7. Nolan plays with confidence
8. We got more tall players coming
9. Team will know how to play with each other and for coach
10. Ollie ball has been established and will be better next year
11. 2014 mystery play of Olander, Wolf and Leon T.
12. Feel free to add....

Lots of great stuff and new things to see. Not much old stuff with this team.

My glass is half full, and come November, regardless of what Bazz does, this team still will continue to be my favorite of all time. Excitement with anticipation will make my Spring and Summer so enjoyable because irrespective of what is happening around the country concerning college basketball I say look out world; 'UConn basketball' has returned to Storrs.

If this was about the team alone, I would suggest we had more to look forward to after the 1995, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2011 seasons. Not all of those seasons panned out, but we made deep runs before and it felt right.

But since this is about Ollie, mostly, and about a team that is deservedly beloved by us Husky-fans, I would say that we have more to be optimistic about than we have had for a very long time, and KO looks like a real winner (coming from someone who wanted Shaka...).

 

[bmayuc]

Here is my reaction to the possible team next year( I am assuming everyone comes back):

Starters

PG Shabazz. Role: Primary Ballhandler, playmaker, clutch ace. Needs to Improve: Very Little. Perhaps being more aggressive early in the game shooting the ball. Stop dictating whether he will be a scorer/distributer and play more instinctively.

SG Boatright. Role: Secondary Ballhandler/Iso scorer. I doubt Boat accepts natural role as 6th man, microwave off the bench. So he will start at SG and play a similar role to this year to avoid chemistry issues. Needs to Improve: Needs to toughen up on the dribble and learn how to effectively deal with doubleteams and/or being blitzed off the pick and roll. Stop overpenetrating and use pull up jumper to overcome difficulty finishing in traffic.

SF Calhoun. Role: Secondary ballhandler, set piece finisher, spot up shooter. Basically his role this year with expanded Jeremy Lamb/RIP Hamilton game shooting off screens. We already know he can spot up shoot from 3. Now if he can really dig out 8-10 points a game in that mid-range, he can be an absolute assassin. Needs to Improve: Ballhandling. The other pieces are there. You can tell he's got the BB IQ, touch, and savvy to be a scorer. He needs to complement that by tightening up his handle. He already improved this tremendously throughout the year, so continuing his development here could make all the differences.

PF DeAndre Daniels. Role: Primary Scorer. Period. Needs to Improve: DeAndre put together 90% of what it takes to be a go-to scorer this year. He found his spots on the floor(weakside Post Iso, Spot up 3pt shooter, foul line jumpers). He was efficient and explosive. He finished through some contact. He dunked on peoples domes. He learned battling for rebounds. He learned aggression and swagger. All he needs to do is incrementally improve those facets, and increase his usage rates, and he will be an 18-20 ppg scorer. He needs to get stronger, but the skills are there. So excited for him next year. Ollie has used him and built him up beautifully.

C Amida Brimah. Role: Defensive Anchor, Rebounder, Garbage man. Needs to Improve: Lets be honest we don't know much about him. But if we want to envision being a contender, we need 2 areas to greatly improve. We need to rebound better, and we need to protect the rim better. Nolan made great strides, but our other bigs are just not going to cut it in that area. Facey looks to be about 6'7-6'8. If Brimah(6'11) can come in and be a factor in those two areas right away, our changes to have a successful season quadruple. Here's hoping he is a great surprise and can provide a solid, stabilizing force.

Bench

First Guard: Terrence Samuel - I see him subbing early and often to spell Boat/Shabazz. Hopefully he can provide 15-20 minutes of Craig Austrie(bigger/stronger) production and solid defense.

First Big: We need 30 productive minutes from Facey/Nolan next year. If we could get Marcus White type productivity that would be a huge plus.

Defensive Specialist: Giffey - will continue to give us what he can on offense and play strong D on the perimeter.

Shooter: Leon Tolksdorf - I like him alot on the floor. He can be rugged and has some athleticism for a big guy with skills. And that shot is PURE.

OVERALL: This team will have plenty of firepower if everyone returns. We need someone of Brimah/Facey/Nolan can develop into a solid rebounder/defender/rim protector, this team has all the tools to make a deep run. That is all we need. Lets hope they can provide it.

 

[tzznandrew]

Here is my reaction to the possible team next year( I am assuming everyone comes back):

I think if this team lives up to our very lofty hopes, it will likely be because they embrace this model.

I think averages around this would likely auger a great season:

Daniels 18ppg
Napier 15ppg
Boatright 13ppg
Calhoun 12ppg
18-20ppg from everyone else.

 

[B1GEast]

we're playing in the 2k classic with bc, indiana, and washington

Awesome, I thought I read we were up for the carrier classic

 

[B1GEast]

Here is my reaction to the possible team next year( I am assuming everyone comes back):

Starters

PG Shabazz. Role: Primary Ballhandler, playmaker, clutch ace. Needs to Improve: Very Little. Perhaps being more aggressive early in the game shooting the ball. Stop dictating whether he will be a scorer/distributer and play more instinctively.

SG Boatright. Role: Secondary Ballhandler/Iso scorer. I doubt Boat accepts natural role as 6th man, microwave off the bench. So he will start at SG and play a similar role to this year to avoid chemistry issues. Needs to Improve: Needs to toughen up on the dribble and learn how to effectively deal with doubleteams and/or being blitzed off the pick and roll. Stop overpenetrating and use pull up jumper to overcome difficulty finishing in traffic.

SF Calhoun. Role: Secondary ballhandler, set piece finisher, spot up shooter. Basically his role this year with expanded Jeremy Lamb/RIP Hamilton game shooting off screens. We already know he can spot up shoot from 3. Now if he can really dig out 8-10 points a game in that mid-range, he can be an absolute assassin. Needs to Improve: Ballhandling. The other pieces are there. You can tell he's got the BB IQ, touch, and savvy to be a scorer. He needs to complement that by tightening up his handle. He already improved this tremendously throughout the year, so continuing his development here could make all the differences.

PF DeAndre Daniels. Role: Primary Scorer. Period. Needs to Improve: DeAndre put together 90% of what it takes to be a go-to scorer this year. He found his spots on the floor(weakside Post Iso, Spot up 3pt shooter, foul line jumpers). He was efficient and explosive. He finished through some contact. He dunked on peoples domes. He learned battling for rebounds. He learned aggression and swagger. All he needs to do is incrementally improve those facets, and increase his usage rates, and he will be an 18-20 ppg scorer. He needs to get stronger, but the skills are there. So excited for him next year. Ollie has used him and built him up beautifully.

C Amida Brimah. Role: Defensive Anchor, Rebounder, Garbage man. Needs to Improve: Lets be honest we don't know much about him. But if we want to envision being a contender, we need 2 areas to greatly improve. We need to rebound better, and we need to protect the rim better. Nolan made great strides, but our other bigs are just not going to cut it in that area. Facey looks to be about 6'7-6'8. If Brimah(6'11) can come in and be a factor in those two areas right away, our changes to have a successful season quadruple. Here's hoping he is a great surprise and can provide a solid, stabilizing force.

Bench

First Guard: Terrence Samuel - I see him subbing early and often to spell Boat/Shabazz. Hopefully he can provide 15-20 minutes of Craig Austrie(bigger/stronger) production and solid defense.

First Big: We need 30 productive minutes from Facey/Nolan next year. If we could get Marcus White type productivity that would be a huge plus.

Defensive Specialist: Giffey - will continue to give us what he can on offense and play strong D on the perimeter.

Shooter: Leon Tolksdorf - I like him alot on the floor. He can be rugged and has some athleticism for a big guy with skills. And that shot is PURE.

OVERALL: This team will have plenty of firepower if everyone returns. We need someone of Brimah/Facey/Nolan can develop into a solid rebounder/defender/rim protector, this team has all the tools to make a deep run. That is all we need. Lets hope they can provide it.

If bazz stays, IMO that's a potential final 4 team.

 

[bmayuc]

I think if this team lives up to our very lofty hopes, it will likely be because they embrace this model.

I think averages around this would likely auger a great season:

Daniels 18ppg
Napier 15ppg
Boatright 13ppg
Calhoun 12ppg
18-20ppg from everyone else.

Agree with Daniels as the #1, and I think if Napier is a bit lower than this year that means we won more games comfortably and he wasn't hunting shots late in the game. If Boat would be round 10 PPG and Calhoun would be higher that would indicate that we were getting more looks off solid offense and less off Iso/1-1 moves.

So for me a nice stat distro would be more like :

Daniels 18 PPG
Napier 15 PPG
Calhound 15PPG
Boatright 10 PPG
Facey/Brimah/Nolan 5-10 PPG(putbacks)
Giffey/Samuel/Tolksdorf 5-10 PG(Jumpers)

 

[tzznandrew]

Agree with Daniels as the #1, and I think if Napier is a bit lower than this year that means we won more games comfortably and he wasn't hunting shots late in the game. If Boat would be round 10 PPG and Calhoun would be higher that would indicate that we were getting more looks off solid offense and less off Iso/1-1 moves.

So for me a nice stat distro would be more like :

Daniels 18 PPG
Napier 15 PPG
Calhound 15PPG
Boatright 10 PPG
Facey/Brimah/Nolan 5-10 PPG(putbacks)
Giffey/Samuel/Tolksdorf 5-10 PG(Jumpers)

You don't think Olander gets any minutes?

I'm with you, though, largely. More shots for Daniels and Calhoun, even more leadership from Shabazz, better shots from Boat.

 

[mauconnfan]

Tyler very much still a piece of the puzzle, absolutely!!

 

[Kitaman]

Tyler very much still a piece of the puzzle, absolutely!!

Come November Tyler is the starting Center. Its his spot to lose, and I can't see any of the freshman beating him out for the position. More playing time perhaps but not starting.

 

[bmayuc]

Come November Tyler is the starting Center. Its his spot to lose, and I can't see any of the freshman beating him out for the position. More playing time perhaps but not starting.

I know there are alot of Olander fans for whatever reason on here, but I just don't see a single thing the kid brings to the game?

He lives in this weird area where he hasn't found his niche.

He has some skill but no consistency or confidence so he can't be counted on to score/facilitate

He is 6'9'' 240 but has no ability to grab rebounds or protect the rim or make very basic defensive rotations.

He is a post player but doesn't play with an Edge or Toughness to dissuade offensive players from attacking the rim.

So to recap: He has played for 3 years, has had opportunity after opportunity to contribute, and yet has failed to carve out any sort of niche/role and plays with the consistency and confidence of your average 5th grader. On top of that, he plays marginal on-ball defense and horrible help-side defense.

On a team with all the pieces with the exception of a tough rebounder/shot-blocker, you don't keep trotting him out there and hoping for the best.

I had high hopes for him as a young player, but I just don't see it guys.

 

[bmayuc]

Come November Tyler is the starting Center. Its his spot to lose, and I can't see any of the freshman beating him out for the position. More playing time perhaps but not starting.

I could see him doing his freshman year routine: 5-10 minutes, starting, then not playing in crunch time.

I just don't get that at all.

Though, I would be happily wrong if he somehow turned a switch and became productive. Do I see that happening 110 games into his career? no.

 

[Waquoit]

I had high hopes for him as a young player, but I just don't see it guys.

Fine, but I'd be happily stunned if the new guys can beat him out as a starter. I can't see that.

 

[aceboon]

Agree with every word, and unlike a great deal of posters on here who seem to believe this, moving him to the 4 isn't going to magically cure him of all his faults. If Facey, Brimah, and of course an improved Nolan can just bring the ability to rebound/box out, rotate and defend the rim, then Tyler will not see much time next year. He's had 3 years and a golden opportunity this year and did not show anything, only so long KO can tolerate that kind of play. The difference when Wolf would enter the game, and then when Giffey played C and eventually Nolan at the end of season was like night and day.

I know there are alot of Olander fans for whatever reason on here, but I just don't see a single thing the kid brings to the game?

He lives in this weird area where he hasn't found his niche.

He has some skill but no consistency or confidence so he can't be counted on to score/facilitate

He is 6'9'' 240 but has no ability to grab rebounds or protect the rim or make very basic defensive rotations.

He is a post player but doesn't play with an Edge or Toughness to dissuade offensive players from attacking the rim.

So to recap: He has played for 3 years, has had opportunity after opportunity to contribute, and yet has failed to carve out any sort of niche/role and plays with the consistency and confidence of your average 5th grader. On top of that, he plays marginal on-ball defense and horrible help-side defense.

On a team with all the pieces with the exception of a tough rebounder/shot-blocker, you don't keep trotting him out there and hoping for the best.

I had high hopes for him as a young player, but I just don't see it guys.

 

[Kitaman]

I could see him doing his freshman year routine: 5-10 minutes, starting, then not playing in crunch time.

I just don't get that at all.

Though, I would be happily wrong if he somehow turned a switch and became productive. Do I see that happening 110 games into his career? no.

Tyler must improve to keep his PT. But as a senior (experience with Championship), in November he gets the nod. Thereafter its about performance, his team competition, and Ollie's grace. Shortened minutes soon followed by losing the start is very possible.

Its just that seniors who have started usually always start, unless there is a phenomenal stud challenging them. I don't see that in the freshman coming in. They say its about who is in at the end, and that alone spoke to Ollie's lack of confidence in TO. Tyler hopefully knows what he has to do.

 

[Waquoit]

I'm not sure I buy the premise. The future didn't look more promising after the last game UConn played in 1998? Or 2003? And if Bazz leaves the entire list is moot.

 

[bmayuc]

Tyler must improve to keep his PT. But as a senior (experience with Championship), in November he gets the nod. Thereafter its about performance, his team competition, and Ollie's grace. Shortened minutes soon followed by losing the start is very possible.

Its just that seniors who have started usually always start, unless there is a phenomenal stud challenging them. I don't see that in the freshman coming in. They say its about who is in at the end, and that alone spoke to Ollie's lack of confidence in TO. Tyler hopefully knows what he has to do.

See the biggest problem with this type of attitude is that there are certain things you can improve, and certain things you cannot.

Could he come in with more confidence/composure? yes, absolutely. It would be amazing after 110 games to find that, but lets pretend that happens.

he still will not be able to improve his limited defense/rebounding. That is an athleticism/instinct/toughness thing that you sorta either have or don't have. Peoples rebounding rates just don't magically improve. AND THAT IS WHAT THIS TEAM NEEDS, not another scorer.

So even if tyler were to come back gangbusters, his value would be limited in that what he does well(shoot jumpers) is a redundant talent on this team.

That will be my last word on Tyler. He's a hometown kid and I wish him the best, but I am really hoping Facey/Brimah come in and really tear up practice.

 

[huskyharry]

Of all the returning and incoming players, Leon (along with TO who has already filled out and more likely would benefit from toning up and slimming done a bit) has the best potential to put on muscle and be a force from a strength perspective inside. I could see his body type and style of game develop into a Linas Kleiza-type...very tough and physical inside coupled with a sweet jumper...or at least I can hope!

 

[freescooter]

I disagree, this thread is not about how good we will be but more about how exciting this team will be (hence the thread title). Sure Bazz makes us better but Bazz is not bigger than Ollie ball. I expect next year and beyond teams' to show hard play, hustle ball, lion hearted, stiffling defense, gritty play, 100% all game, never giving up and of course 10 toes in. That's why I'm excited about our future under Ollie.

Don't need Bazz for that.

You didn't watch the last 3 games? UConn with Napier is a completely different team than UConn with out him. It isn't even close. Without Sahbaz, this team is disorganized, lacks a ball handler, and doesn't have a guy who can hit big 3 pointers late with consistency. It is a bunch of guys running around trying to figure out what to do. He also focuses the defense I think. Without Shabaz, maybe someone else steps up, but I have to say I don't see who it would be. Boatright doesn't have the skills to be the primary ball handler, that was painfully clear. Nor does anyone else that I can see. Samuel, even if he is bigtime good, and I'm not sure he will be next year, nor are most unbiased commentators, is still a freshman and will likely play like one. He is the straw that stirs this drink in my opinion.

 

[freescooter]

And one other thing...I guess you weren't around in 1998, or 2003. I think in both those years there was a thought that UConn was a legitmate Championship contender. Actually 1995, and 2005 too. Or even further back, after the NIT season...people actually believed that UConn was no longer relegated to holding up the rest of the Big East, but was a legitimate program. Or after the "Dream Season...when suddenly UConn fans actually believed that UConn could be a legitimate national program...not some one time wonder, but a team that would go toe to toe with other big time programs. We had a pretty fair young coach then, too. Guy named Calhoun. Maybe you heard of him?

 

[Kitaman]

And one other thing...I guess you weren't around in 1998, or 2003. I think in both those years there was a thought that UConn was a legitmate Championship contender. Actually 1995, and 2005 too. Or even further back, after the NIT season...people actually believed that UConn was no longer relegated to holding up the rest of the Big East, but was a legitimate program. Or after the "Dream Season...when suddenly UConn fans actually believed that UConn could be a legitimate national program...not some one time wonder, but a team that would go toe to toe with other big time programs. We had a pretty fair young coach then, too. Guy named Calhoun. Maybe you heard of him?

You are missing the point. We are in a rebuilding mode, having a mass exodus of players, conference teams and losing our head coach. This is a unique position we are in. I am the type of person that finds new challenges exciting. People keep talking about NCs and stuff, which was not my post. We are about to witness a 'new' journey for UConn led by your favorite coach Ollie.

He's got a head start (vs Calhoun first UConn season), but in comparison this is similar to the Dream Season. We are on the verge of something great, and I find that exciting whether we make the final four in the next couple of years or not.

Ollie is pointing us North, just like Calhoun. Its like watching a child mature into something special. We are in metamorphosis stage, what's not exciting about that?

 

[mauconnfan]

At some point we will be w/o Shabazz so I agree with both Kita and free.......they are and will be a lot better if he returns and will not be nearly as good if he doesn't in my eyes.......it was very noticeable who they key was to this team. Having said that, the day will come any way so people will need to eventually step up no matter.....

But I prefer a couple kids learning while Bazz is still here!!!

 

[nelsonmuntz]

At some point we will be w/o Shabazz so I agree with both Kita and free.......they are and will be a lot better if he returns and will not be nearly as good if he doesn't in my eyes.......it was very noticeable who they key was to this team. Having said that, the day will come any way so people will need to eventually step up no matter.....

But I prefer a couple kids learning while Bazz is still here!!!

This kind of logic always puzzles me. By this logic, a program can only get worse since the best players of a given year are often graduating.

Kids become better players. Happens all the time. Everyone who predicted doom and gloom this season benchmarked off last season, when Boat was out of control and terrible defensively and Daniels was invisible. Anyone remember how awful the team was in 2001? How did 2002 turn out? And that team had Johnny Selvie as the #2 option.

 

[mauconnfan]

This kind of logic always puzzles me. By this logic, a program can only get worse since the best players of a given year are often graduating.

Kids become better players. Happens all the time. Everyone who predicted doom and gloom this season benchmarked off last season, when Boat was out of control and terrible defensively and Daniels was invisible. Anyone remember how awful the team was in 2001? How did 2002 turn out? And that team had Johnny Selvie as the #2 option.

Puzzles you? Let me try to put it as easy as possible, did you watch this team at all while Shabazz was out? Pretty simple.........

Not saying that people won't get better and I'm not throwing Boat or potentially Samuels under a speeding Fung Wah I am simply stating the obvious.........take a history stroll all you want but if you think this team will be as good without Bazz then you're crazy and there is simply no chance it would be!!! It may find it's way at some point but it will be painful I promise, we saw it. You need a PG and for now Boat is not one and you don't suddenly grow PG skills and make yourself into a Bazz type player. When given the keys you find your way around and it takes time...........

And I don't see Caron Butler on this team either!!!

 

[sdhusky]

I expected Bazz, Boat and Daniels to play like they did

Why do you always seem so much smarter when you tell us what you expected about things that already happened?

 

[nomar]

It's nice to be optimistic and we should have more scoring options, but I don't see anymore rebounding next year.

Also didn't like the way Boatright finished the season. Looked like a kid trying to improve his draft stock a la 2006. With potentially 3 guys looking to get drafted next year, KO has his work cut out for him.


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Giving him the benefit of the doubt, it looked like Boat felt like he needed to take over in light of Bazz's injury. Bazz was clearly hobbled and unable to take people off the dribble. You could see him deferring to Boat. That said, Boat really didn't play that intelligently and ultimately closed out the season on a pretty lucky shot.